R1 Brake Caliper Cleaning Recommendation

[jimk]

So the new R1 maintenance schedule recommends "clean brake calipers if driving on salted roads" every year or 12k miles. Does anyone know what this means in practice? I asked Rivian Service about adding it to an upcoming service appointment and the response was that they don't provide break caliper cleaning services, which is odd given that they recommend it. Can anyone shed any light?

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[Golfer04]

I would like to know this too. Road salt that doesn't get removed from brake use will destroy your brakes quicker than aggressive braking every time you stop.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

No idea what SCs have been instructed to do. But generally, spray on diluted Simple Green (or other all purpose cleaner), then hose off with pressured water.

Or... just one of many videos available on YT:

 

[jimk]

No idea what SCs have been instructed to do. But generally, spray on diluted Simple Green (or other all purpose cleaner), then hose off with pressured water.

Is this really what they mean? The video strikes me as it being more about detailing/cosmetics than about function/longevity. I'd like my Rivian brakes to be lasting longer - I had to replace front pads and rotors at 39k miles on my R1T. By comparison, by Jaguar I Pace is showing very little brake wear at 57.5k miles, despite driving on the same heavily salted Vermont roads.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Is this really what they mean? The video strikes me as it being more about detailing/cosmetics than about function/longevity. I'd like my Rivian brakes to be lasting longer - I had to replace front pads and rotors at 39k miles on my R1T. By comparison, by Jaguar I Pace is showing very little brake wear at 57.5k miles, despite driving on the same heavily salted Vermont roads.

Like I said, I don't know what they've told the SCs. That info is not published. But I would think, if purpose is to remove road salts, maintain appearance and mitigate chance of staining and corrosion... then, most likely.

Plus, there were some noisy complaints on the subreddit, of people blaming their tarnished calipers on "poor [Rivian] quality"... which is just silly. If you drive your truck through a mud pit and don't wash it for months, would you blame the truck's manufacturer for its appearance?

 

[aroneT2]

I was just quoted one hour of remote service to perform the cleaning. ( along with a tire swap ) next Monday.

Based on a previous post above, I wonder if Rivian might be trying to mitigate shorter than expected observed brake life. I’m going to have it done - and will speak with the service person to see what they have to say.

 

[PostMinivanDad]

I have one scheduled for Friday at my service center, Ill report back.

 

[Rade]

Thank you for this. I am just over 11K miles and after a brutal winter and I chatted with the service center. They said unless I am seeing a lot of road dust on the brake calipers (I am not), this can wait until I schedule my 15k routine service.

 

[2kwik4u]

So the new R1 maintenance schedule recommends "clean brake calipers if driving on salted roads" every year or 12k miles. Does anyone know what this means in practice? I asked Rivian Service about adding it to an upcoming service appointment and the response was that they don't provide break caliper cleaning services, which is odd given that they recommend it. Can anyone shed any light?

most local shops here in Buffalo offer this service as part of a yearly maintenance package.

Essentially they take the calipers off and clean and lubricate the guide pins, as well as the caliper piston boots. Then also clean the mounting face of the rotor to the hub, and the wheel to the rotor.

It keeps the brake system serviceable under the highly corrosive environment.

 

[Red Shirt Wookie]

I clean my calipers every time I rotate. Not the full take them apart version, just a thorough cleaning with whatever all purpose cleaner I have handy, and I'm at 70k. I'll be replacing my brakes this month.
Mostly Boston to DC driving, a rare trip to Buffalo when I'm hungry for wings.

 

[Audiotek]

So the new R1 maintenance schedule recommends "clean brake calipers if driving on salted roads" every year or 12k miles. Does anyone know what this means in practice? I asked Rivian Service about adding it to an upcoming service appointment and the response was that they don't provide break caliper cleaning services, which is odd given that they recommend it. Can anyone shed any light?

I have my wheels rotated by Rivian annually so that I can ask them to clean my brake pads and lubricate the caliper pins.

Otherwise I normally do my own wheel rotation in the garage.

 

[jimk]

I have my wheels rotated by Rivian annually so that I can ask them to clean my brake pads and lubricate the caliper pins.

Otherwise I normally do my own wheel rotation in the garage.

Do they just charge you $60 for a mobile service tire rotation? Or do they charge extra for the cleaning and lubricating?

 

[2kwik4u]

a rare trip to Buffalo when I'm hungry for wings.

Please tell me you're getting some good ones from Bar Bill and not getting them from Anchor Bar. Couple other good places around, but if you're driving this far, might as well get some good ones

 

[Red Shirt Wookie]

Was in 716 last week. Stayed near UB, so went to Wingnutz. Great beer selection. Got flights of wings and beer. It was a good night.

 

[Audiotek]

Do they just charge you $60 for a mobile service tire rotation? Or do they charge extra for the cleaning and lubricating?

They only charge for the mobile tire rotation.

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